Community leaders have met with senior Barclays staff to discuss the bank's proposed closure of its Llanidloes branch.
Last Friday (29th September), the Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, Russell George AM, convened a meeting to discuss the situation and relay the community's frustrations with the bank's decision.
Meeting with senior management at Barclays, Russell George was joined by Glyn Davies MP, County Councilllor Phyl Davies & The Mayor of Llanidloes, Cllr. Janet Crisp, to underline the importance of over the counter banking services for the people of Llanidloes.
Barclays, which is the only bank which operates in Llanidloes after other companies withdrew their services, intends to close the only remaining bank in the town on 10th November.
As a result, Barclays customers will be expected to travel to Newtown to use the nearest Barclays branch or use the Post Office for transactions such as paying in cheques or depositing cash.
Following the meeting, Mr George said:
“While I’m grateful to Barclays’ management for meeting with me, Glyn Davies MP and other local representatives, I was disappointed, but sadly not surprised, that they were not able to make a commitment to Llanidloes going forward.
“I had hoped for a different response given that just two year ago, the bank had said they did not have plans to close this branch.
“However, at the meeting, Barclays did confirm that they would consider keeping an ATM in the town and it was agreed that the Town Council and I would get back to them with suggestions for suitable locations.
“I’m also intending to meet Post Office officials in the coming weeks with regards to the banking services they can provide.